Proposal for 5G mast in Newbury rejected
PLANS for a 15-metre high 5G mast on Northcroft Lane in Newbury have been turned down.
Hutchison UK – known as Three – was hoping to build the mast, a wrap-around cabinet and three further additional equipment cabinets on a grass verge near Northcroft Lane West car park.
However, both Newbury Town Council and the district council's highways department objected to the plans, with highways suggesting the mast could be damaged by “vehicle overrun” due to the lack of a kerb.
West Berkshire Council has now refused the application.
The council said: “The proposed mast would be sited on the edge of a grass verge along Northcroft Lane; however the Northcroft recreation grounds are used frequently for events which involve the manoeuvring of large vehicles in and out of the site.
“There is no kerb along this length, whilst there are sets at carriageway level to delineate verge and carriageway, these will not offer any protection to the mast from manoeuvring vehicles.
“Given the sizes of vehicles utilised, often with an additional trailer, there is the potential for vehicle overrun which could cause damage to the mast and equipment.”
It added that there was insufficient space for bollards in front of the mast to protect it, and that any large vehicles exiting the park will swing over to the proposed mast and cabinets.
The decision to refuse the application is in contrast to a decision earlier this year to allow an 18m mast to be erected at the corner of Link Road and St John’s Road, just outside Baldev's Dental Care.